Original subtitles

NARRATOR: April 1945 and one-time supreme leader of Italy, Il Duce,

and his mistress, Clara Petacci,

and his mistress, Clara Petacci,

are fleeing for their lives.

Nearly 80 years on, the question remains -

could Benito Mussolini possibly have survived

could Benito Mussolini possibly have survived

as the most wanted man in all of Italy?

Did his narcissistic pride and hubris

ultimately lead to self-destruction?

ultimately lead to self-destruction?

- This idea of the future of building Italy,

recreating the Roman Empire and all of the symbolism that went with it.

recreating the Roman Empire and all of the symbolism that went with it.

NARRATOR: As the war turned against the Axis powers,

he foresaw the growing threat and built shelters and hiding places

beneath his palatial residence in Rome.

beneath his palatial residence in Rome.

- (speaks Italian)

NARRATOR: Hidden within Monte Soratte, overlooking Rome,

could Mussolini have survived the war had he somehow managed

could Mussolini have survived the war had he somehow managed

to escape to his most secret and formidable World War II bunker?

MAN: The tunnels of Monte Soratte remained secret until 2008.

MAN: The tunnels of Monte Soratte remained secret until 2008.

The legend about Italian gold is real. This is not a legend.

The legend about Italian gold is real. This is not a legend.

NARRATOR: Now, for the first time, we will reveal the secrets

NARRATOR: Now, for the first time, we will reveal the secrets

of Mussolini's final refuge

from which he had hoped to maintain his grip on power

till the bitter end.

Underground tunnels.

Nuclear bunkers.

Architectural madness.

Lavish headquarters.

For dictators, the cost did not matter, only their desires -

power and security.

power and security.

What secrets hide in these grand structures?

- (speaks Italian)

- Benito Mussolini was a really charismatic figure.

- Benito Mussolini was a really charismatic figure.

He was kind of very stocky, you know?

He was built like a boxer or a bull.

WOMAN: He created around himself a cult of personality.

WOMAN: He created around himself a cult of personality.

The idea of the salute,

which was very much a Roman salute.

- (speaks Italian)

(distant crowd cheering)

(rousing marching band music)

- Be in no doubt that one of Mussolini's biggest mistakes -

actually, if not his biggest mistake -

was entering the war alongside Adolf Hitler.

was entering the war alongside Adolf Hitler.

He was simply not prepared for it.

His armed forces were not prepared for it.

They lacked the technology. They lacked, frankly,

They lacked the technology. They lacked, frankly,

the same kind of martial discipline that you see in Britain.

NARRATOR: Following the Casablanca Conference in January 1943,

NARRATOR: Following the Casablanca Conference in January 1943,

the Allies embarked on a bombing campaign

of major German and Italian cities,

both to break the enemy's morale,

both to break the enemy's morale,

but also to take out their command centres.

Rome was being bombarded.

- Dictators weren't completely paranoid.

- Dictators weren't completely paranoid.

There were actually reasons to think that they might be killed.

There were reasons to build these bunkers and shelters.

And, in fact, the British, in something called Operation Dux,

And, in fact, the British, in something called Operation Dux,

did plan to try to kill Mussolini.

- (speaks Italian)

- Wherever Mussolini works, wherever Mussolini lives,

he starts creating a place of safety.

he starts creating a place of safety.

So you have Palazzo Venezia

which, of course, is a place where he works.

But he builds himself there an underground bunker.

But he builds himself there an underground bunker.

And also we see this in Villa Torlonia.

That's where he lives. That's where he spends a lot of time.

That's where he lives. That's where he spends a lot of time.

But it's also where he builds himself a refuge.

GRASSI:

- In the centre of Rome, which has the famous balcony,

- In the centre of Rome, which has the famous balcony,

where 100,000 or more people

could gather and applaud and cheer Il Duce.

CROWD CHANTS: Duce! Duce!

CROWD CHANTS: Duce! Duce!

- (speaks Italian)

(cheering)

NARRATOR: It was famously said that Mussolini

NARRATOR: It was famously said that Mussolini

refused to turn off the lights at Palazzo Venezia

because fascism never sleeps.

(distant crowd cheering)

NARRATOR: The palace is known for mysterious secrets

NARRATOR: The palace is known for mysterious secrets

that were recently uncovered.

GRASSI:

NARRATOR: The layout is particularly unusual.

A steep staircase descends for more than six metres,

at which point it reveals a Roman-era tunnel.

at which point it reveals a Roman-era tunnel.

After a few metres, this tunnel leads to a concrete cube

After a few metres, this tunnel leads to a concrete cube

with a floor space of nearly 80 square metres.

This is then divided into nine rooms surrounding a central structure,

This is then divided into nine rooms surrounding a central structure,

where it is likely that an air intake would have been installed.

NARRATOR: As the threat of Allied air raids on the capital increased,

NARRATOR: As the threat of Allied air raids on the capital increased,

Mussolini spent increasing amounts of time

in his Villa Torlonia residence,

located in the north of Rome, along Via Nomentana.

located in the north of Rome, along Via Nomentana.

The villa was built during the 18th century by the Torlonia family.

To accommodate himself and his family,

Mussolini had two air-raid shelters built within the villa's grounds.

- (Grassi continues in Italian)

- (Grassi continues in Italian)

NARRATOR: The cellar was equipped with double armoured doors,

both blast and gas proof.

An exit was constructed within a well,

where a ladder and ventilation system were installed.

where a ladder and ventilation system were installed.

- But there is a big problem

- But there is a big problem

because, to get to it, there is no underground tunnel.

So, if there's an air raid, what Mussolini has to do

So, if there's an air raid, what Mussolini has to do

is to kind of scuttle 150 metres across the gardens,

all the way across the lawn, in order to get underground.

I mean, this is crazy.

I mean, this is crazy.

- It was very bare bones, there was nothing in it.

Of course, it went very much against Mussolini's character

Of course, it went very much against Mussolini's character

because he loved opulence and beautiful things.

So, he hated it. He refused to go down into it.

He said something else has to be built.

- Well, there's been speculation that he was claustrophobic

and he had bad experiences in small places.

and he had bad experiences in small places.

WALTERS: It was very, very small.

It was very modest, it was very cramped,

It was very modest, it was very cramped,

it was very airless and it was very dark.

It was not a nice place.

Mussolini hated it.

Mussolini hated it.

He looked at it and went, "Nah, I don't want to be there.

I'd rather die."

NEWSREEL: About 75 miles northwest of Rome,

225 tons of bombs were dropped from an altitude of 18,000...

225 tons of bombs were dropped from an altitude of 18,000...

GRASSI:

NARRATOR: The task was given to the firefighters

in command of Rome's fire brigade,

who began to dig in front of Casino Nobile.

This way, if the villa was targeted,

the bunker would remain out of range.

the bunker would remain out of range.

A grand reinforced concrete structure, in the shape of a box,

A grand reinforced concrete structure, in the shape of a box,

was erected.

NARRATOR: At a depth of six and a half metres below ground,

its ceilings were reinforced with four metres of solid concrete.

its ceilings were reinforced with four metres of solid concrete.

This resulted in digging twice as much as expected.

The bunker and shelters were necessary

The bunker and shelters were necessary

for Mussolini to be able to continue to live

at Casino Nobile di Villa Torlonia,

during the worst of the wartime bombardment.

during the worst of the wartime bombardment.

It was his favourite residence and it wasn't even his.

WALTERS: Mussolini is drawn to some of the finer things in life.

You know, I mean, he likes opulence. He likes nice villas.

You know, I mean, he likes opulence. He likes nice villas.

He likes nice furniture in those villas.

He likes nice surroundings and, let's be frank,

He likes nice surroundings and, let's be frank,

lots of dictators like those sorts of things.

And, like lots of other dictators,

Mussolini also likes female attention.

Mussolini also likes female attention.

He likes it a lot.

He likes female company and he has a lot of mistresses.

He likes female company and he has a lot of mistresses.

- Mussolini had a very straightforward attitude

towards women.

He regarded them as sex objects.

He regarded them as sex objects.

NARRATOR: His many affairs were conducted

NARRATOR: His many affairs were conducted

in full view of his long-suffering wife, Rachele Guidi,

projected in the media as the model fascist housewife and mother.

projected in the media as the model fascist housewife and mother.

This residence was constructed to ensure Mussolini

had privacy for his many peccadilloes.

NARRATOR: Even though a whole army of people guarded him,

unlike Hitler he could not ensure the security of his dictatorship.

unlike Hitler he could not ensure the security of his dictatorship.

In July 1943, with his armies defeated in North Africa and Sicily,

and with bombs raining down on Rome,

and with bombs raining down on Rome,

Mussolini was eventually forced out of power by his own Grand Council.

- The war is going very badly. The Western allies have invaded Sicily.

- The war is going very badly. The Western allies have invaded Sicily.

They're starting to move up the boot of Italy.

The patience of the people has just finally collapsed.

The patience of the people has just finally collapsed.

- All dictators run the risk

of coming to believe in their own myths

and Mussolini was no exception.

and Mussolini was no exception.

He came to believe the myths that he himself created

and, unfortunately, this led to disaster for him and for Italy.

and, unfortunately, this led to disaster for him and for Italy.

NARRATOR: Il Duce was summoned to the palace

by King Victor Emmanuel III, for what he assumed would be

by King Victor Emmanuel III, for what he assumed would be

just one of their regular biweekly meetings.

The king told him that he was being replaced as prime minister

The king told him that he was being replaced as prime minister

by Italian general Pietro Badoglio.

- After the king orders Mussolini's arrest in 1943,

he is held captive in a hotel really high up in the Apennine Mountains.

he is held captive in a hotel really high up in the Apennine Mountains.

And what the Germans decide to do, is that they're gonna rescue him.

Because, after all, Hitler is still loyal

Because, after all, Hitler is still loyal

to his friend Benito Mussolini.

- Now, there's this really very, very daredevil operation,

mounted by German paratroopers,

mounted by German paratroopers,

that actually lands gliders on the side of this mountain

and then the paratroopers run up to the hotel.

- It's supposedly this big, daring rescue but it's actually quite easy

- It's supposedly this big, daring rescue but it's actually quite easy

because there is no resistance at all from those people guarding him.

And Mussolini is taken away, he meets with Hitler

And Mussolini is taken away, he meets with Hitler

and creates a new republic.

- The Republic of Salo.

I mean, this is like a kind of Mickey Mouse country, you know.

It doesn't really actually exist.

It doesn't really actually exist.

NARRATOR: After his fall in 1943,

Mussolini lived in Gargnano,

a north Italian municipality near Lake Garda.

a north Italian municipality near Lake Garda.

His family's residence became Villa Feltrinelli,

where they moved in October of that year.

The villa, built in neo-romantic style

The villa, built in neo-romantic style

at the end of the 19th century,

had been confiscated by the new fascist government during the war.

It had now become an opportune location

It had now become an opportune location

for the head of the new Italian Social Republic.

- He has this villa where he lives with his wife,

but across the lake is another villa

but across the lake is another villa

and that is for his mistress, Clara Petacci.

CHIARINI:

NARRATOR: As a result of this unseemly spat,

Mussolini was forced to move his lover to Villa Mirabella,

Mussolini was forced to move his lover to Villa Mirabella,

further away from Villa Feltrinelli,

where he eked out his final months of freedom,

head of a meaningless, made-up republic.

head of a meaningless, made-up republic.

But what could be said of his security there?

- Mussolini's last bunker

is in a beautiful villa,

is in a beautiful villa,

Lake Garda, with a garden overlooking the lake.

One of the most beautiful places in Europe.

One of the most beautiful places in Europe.

And there was a bunker there. It was small and dark and dank

and wet and unpleasant.

And this is a place that he chose

And this is a place that he chose

to really spend the last part of his life, effectively.

CHIARINI:

NARRATOR: Mussolini wanted the same status as Hitler,

the same protection and the same refuge

the same protection and the same refuge

from which to maintain his waning grip on power.

He dreamt of one day returning to his seat of power in Rome

and had made extensive preparations for it, with Hitler's blessing.

- Ironically, one of the people

who really first recommended to Mussolini

that Monte Soratte would be a very good place

to hide and build bunkers, was the Pope.

The Vatican had used much smaller structures, or caves, there

to hide people and precious items from the Vatican.

to hide people and precious items from the Vatican.

- (speaks Italian)

- The government commissioned a huge megastructure bunker for Mussolini.

- The government commissioned a huge megastructure bunker for Mussolini.

- An underground city to defend the Italian government,

- An underground city to defend the Italian government,

in case of attack in Rome,

reachable by Benito Mussolini - Duce.

- The geographical location of Monte Soratte is, of course, perfect.

It's not in the vicinity of Rome,

but still close enough

but still close enough

to be able to have proper supplies.

- It was constructed, the design, probably in '35,

- It was constructed, the design, probably in '35,

and they fenced a huge part of this mountain

and digging it with carpenters, miners, from north of Italy.

and digging it with carpenters, miners, from north of Italy.

NARRATOR: The bunker was built by digging directly

through the limestone. Inside the mountain,

a furnace carried stones for kilometres

via a network of small railways.

This allowed workers to promptly make reinforced concrete

This allowed workers to promptly make reinforced concrete

at a site close to the mountain.

- And they dug 300,000 cubic metres of rock.

- And they dug 300,000 cubic metres of rock.

They built up buildings outside

and the roads to Sant'Oreste village,

so they completed many infrastructure, even outside.

so they completed many infrastructure, even outside.

The original project of Bunker Soratte

was to build up an underground facility of 14km long.

was to build up an underground facility of 14km long.

The entering of Italy in the Second World War period

restricted this project.

restricted this project.

NARRATOR: The Nazis completed the remainder of the construction

supervised by the Todt Organisation,

the same company which would later build the German death camps.

the same company which would later build the German death camps.

They finished the layout following the Italian blueprints

and using the same Italian workers.

and using the same Italian workers.

- In four years they completed four kilometres and half of the bunker

and we were in '43.

WALTERS: Mussolini was so proud of the structure under Monte Soratte.

I mean, a lot of money had been spent on it.

I mean, a lot of money had been spent on it.

This is an incredibly well-fortified hideout.

NARRATOR: Mussolini's network of tunnels beneath Monte Soratte

NARRATOR: Mussolini's network of tunnels beneath Monte Soratte

was built at a height of 415 metres above sea level

and consisted of only one level.

Two passageways were used during the evacuations.

Two passageways were used during the evacuations.

One was large, measuring ten metres across,

allowing it to be used by both people and vehicles.

allowing it to be used by both people and vehicles.

The second was smaller at four metres wide

and could only be accessed on foot.

The mountain was well protected, and it had an excellent view

The mountain was well protected, and it had an excellent view

of the Tiber Valley and the Roman hills.

It was easily accessed by road or train.

WALTERS: Mussolini goes to visit Monte Soratte

and he has a really good look at all the excavations

and the building works and all the construction.

And then he goes through this village called Sant'Oreste

And then he goes through this village called Sant'Oreste

and they, the villagers, are really proud

that II Duce has gone through their little village.

And so they very proudly rename one of their streets

And so they very proudly rename one of their streets

Benito Mussolini Street.

- There's also a myth that, from a certain angle,

- There's also a myth that, from a certain angle,

one can see a face that looks very similar to Mussolini's.

NARRATOR: Gregory Paolucci was born and raised in Sant'Oreste,

NARRATOR: Gregory Paolucci was born and raised in Sant'Oreste,

a town perched on the mountain

that holds one of the greatest secret hideouts of World War II.

Today, he is the mayor of the town

Today, he is the mayor of the town

and the man who knows better than anyone its long held secrets.

PAOLUCCI: The older tunnels of Monte Soratte

remained secret until 2008.

And they were very important for Benito Mussolini.

This kind of bunker you can find only in Italy.

This kind of bunker you can find only in Italy.

Bunker Soratte is a huge underground system

Bunker Soratte is a huge underground system

under the Monte Soratte mountain,

extended for four kilometres and a half,

reaching the deepness of 300 metres under the rock,

reaching the deepness of 300 metres under the rock,

completely covered and reinforced by hardened reinforced concrete.

There were 22 entrances...

..and many secret way to escape from this bunker.

..and many secret way to escape from this bunker.

All the external entrances could function as a mouse trap.

In case of a land attack from the enemy,

In case of a land attack from the enemy,

they could close in a flexible way of defence.

NARRATOR: Its tunnels were incredibly deep,

NARRATOR: Its tunnels were incredibly deep,

designed to withstand the enormous impact

of the most powerful bombs known at the time.

The largest chambers, which would house the command structure,

The largest chambers, which would house the command structure,

are linked by two long passages

to move people and supplies back and forth.

They're known as the Doretta - the direct -

They're known as the Doretta - the direct -

and the Direttissima - the super direct.

There are concealed entrances and exits to the outer chambers

called caverns.

- This underground complex was, in that sense,

- This underground complex was, in that sense,

perhaps the only megastructure built in Italy, for Mussolini,

that was worth it, in a sense.

that was worth it, in a sense.

It was hidden, or disguised,

as a Breda munitions manufacturing programme...

..but in fact, the real purpose of it was a huge underground complex,

..but in fact, the real purpose of it was a huge underground complex,

to protect Mussolini and the rest of the government

from any kind of attack.

- We found many things, original things, inside the bunker

when we entered about 15 years ago.

when we entered about 15 years ago.

And we found shovels,

gas lamp with acetylene from the miners.

But even electrical system functioning till today.

But even electrical system functioning till today.

- So, everything was redundant and, even with the power,

- So, everything was redundant and, even with the power,

there was a third extra machine, that could be used

when they needed spare parts, for example,

when they needed spare parts, for example,

or needed to boot up a different power supply

because of malfunctioning.

NARRATOR: From the rows of gas masks,

it's clear that one of the greatest threats

was a gas or firebomb attack.

Burning the exterior meant burning the oxygen inside the bunker.

Burning the exterior meant burning the oxygen inside the bunker.

This process of oxygen consumption

could reduce the amount of breathable air inside the bunker

or underground structure, creating conditions

or underground structure, creating conditions

like hypoxia or suffocation for its inhabitants.

The structure needed ventilation, but it also needed

The structure needed ventilation, but it also needed

a continuous supply of breathable air in the event of an attack.

PAOLUCCI: From the top of the building we have many chimney,

PAOLUCCI: From the top of the building we have many chimney,

protected and masquerade, getting air from the ventilation shaft.

In case of a gas attack, they can get the air from the natural cave.

In case of a gas attack, they can get the air from the natural cave.

Alarm systems were unusual.

Many cages with birds inside,

Many cages with birds inside,

in case of incendiary attack outside.

So, if someone steal the oxygen, the birds die.

So, if someone steal the oxygen, the birds die.

NARRATOR: This led to some exciting stories

about this unusual coexistence.

One involved a scruffy worker living in Sant'Oreste,

One involved a scruffy worker living in Sant'Oreste,

who was nicknamed San Francesco, like the patron saint of animals,

because he spoke a strange language and carried a canary in a cage.

because he spoke a strange language and carried a canary in a cage.

Local legend said he could talk to animals.

- He mask as a miner,

singing in a strange language that nobody knows.

singing in a strange language that nobody knows.

And the talking to the birds on the cage.

NARRATOR: As it turned out, he was a spy who had infiltrated the workers.

NARRATOR: As it turned out, he was a spy who had infiltrated the workers.

He communicated with the Allies

thanks to a transceiver hidden in the bird's cage.

So, in the end, he didn't speak to animals.

His strange language was simply English.

- Mussolini is incredibly proud of Monte Soratte.

- Mussolini is incredibly proud of Monte Soratte.

I mean, the fortification there, the hideout, it's fantastic.

But, of course, he never actually uses it.

But, of course, he never actually uses it.

And the people who do end up using it are the Germans

because it becomes the headquarters of the Wehrmacht.

And because the Germans know

this is a really, really safe place from any Allied bombing.

- The Wehrmacht had taken it over as their headquarters for all of Italy.

PAOLUCCI: Commander-in-chief was General Albert Kesselring.

PAOLUCCI: Commander-in-chief was General Albert Kesselring.

They started the occupation of the centre of Italy.

Italian campaign with the Supreme headquarters inside Monte Soratte.

- They've constructed little wooden houses in the tunnels,

- They've constructed little wooden houses in the tunnels,

so that they were more comfortable and more cosy.

- We know that Albert Kesselring came from Foligno Airport

to Monte Soratte by a Fieseler Storch aircraft.

to Monte Soratte by a Fieseler Storch aircraft.

And landing near the bunker,

the Fieseler Storch could close the wings

the Fieseler Storch could close the wings

and put inside the tunnel.

So our bunker was intended to storage little aircraft.

So our bunker was intended to storage little aircraft.

- Monte Soratte was a really safe place, really safe.

And, in fact, it was absolutely brilliant for the Germans.

And, in fact, it was absolutely brilliant for the Germans.

And they had it because, at one stage,

Italian partisans tried to poison the water supply.

- In the night between 7th and 8th of January of '44,

Italian patriots poisoned this water storage with agriculture poison.

Italian patriots poisoned this water storage with agriculture poison.

They understood in the morning that someone poisoned the water

and closed the valve.

and closed the valve.

So from January of '44 to June of '44,

German soldiers drank the water coming from outside,

German soldiers drank the water coming from outside,

from the rains, purified, filtered -

naturally filtered and artificially filtered.

naturally filtered and artificially filtered.

- That filtration system was so good

that the Germans were actually able to drink the water

with no ill effect at all.

So, that's one really big crucial test that Monte Soratte passes.

So, that's one really big crucial test that Monte Soratte passes.

NARRATOR: As the Germans attempted to hold Italy

from the Allied Advance through 1944,

from the Allied Advance through 1944,

the bunker was supplied with water from Monte Flavio's aqueduct.

Around the same time, an ingenious water collection system was devised.

Around the same time, an ingenious water collection system was devised.

The counter vault isolated the bunker from the mountain's humidity,

allowing water to flow into lateral drains.

This system is still functional today,

This system is still functional today,

with its reservoir persistently filled with water.

- Bunker Soratte is a place to survive, to save your life,

- Bunker Soratte is a place to survive, to save your life,

but even to live.

And so people working inside the bunker

And so people working inside the bunker

have spaces to simulate the external environment.

So, there were two bars,

So, there were two bars,

there were two breweries, two pubs.

And there were a theatre and a cinema.

And there were a theatre and a cinema.

- In Monte Soratte, there is this underground cinema

- In Monte Soratte, there is this underground cinema

and it's got this vast projector.

Now, you can't imagine what it must have been like

had Mussolini actually used that complex.

Would he have just been, kind of, sitting in his underground bunker

Would he have just been, kind of, sitting in his underground bunker

as the bombs are falling over him, just watching Mickey Mouse?

- We have a theatre, a cinema

- We have a theatre, a cinema

that maintain, incredibly, the acoustic properties till today.

Let me show you the sound.

Let me show you the sound.

Hey! (echoes)

We know exactly that there were the stairs, the seats, down there.

So we have to dug all this pavement

So we have to dug all this pavement

covered by the rocks during the Cold War era.

It was a really elegant bunker.

It was a really elegant bunker.

It was for officers, for Kesselring -

which Kesselring receive many important

military and governmental persons here in this bunker.

military and governmental persons here in this bunker.

NARRATOR: On 12th of May, 1944,

Allied bombers targeted the labyrinth of tunnels

beneath Monte Soratte, in the ridge of hills overlooking Rome.

NEWSREEL: Again, on May 12th, one day after the start of our offensive

NEWSREEL: Again, on May 12th, one day after the start of our offensive

in the Cassino area, B-17s, accompanied by P-38 fighter escort,

attempted to knock out General Kesselring's headquarters.

attempted to knock out General Kesselring's headquarters.

It's believed that the location was Monte Soratte,

about 30 miles north of Rome.

(dramatic music on newsreel)

NEWSREEL: It's believed that the location was Monte Soratte,

NEWSREEL: It's believed that the location was Monte Soratte,

about 30 miles north of Rome,

on which 190 tons of bombs were dropped with good results.

NARRATOR: May 1944, and the Allies have mounted a major bombing raid

NARRATOR: May 1944, and the Allies have mounted a major bombing raid

on Mussolini's secret underground complex beneath Monte Soratte,

where the German High Command had been organising its resistance

where the German High Command had been organising its resistance

to the Allied advance from southern Italy.

- 237 B-17 Flying Fortress bombed Monte Soratte.

- 237 B-17 Flying Fortress bombed Monte Soratte.

It was in three strikes action.

- And it did kill about 10%

of the German garrison who were based there,

mostly people manning outer defences,

mostly people manning outer defences,

anti-aircraft sites and so forth.

- So Monte Soratte passes these two really big tests

- So Monte Soratte passes these two really big tests

and it's found to be a brilliant hideout.

NARRATOR: Another enduring mystery refers to gold looted by the Nazis

NARRATOR: Another enduring mystery refers to gold looted by the Nazis

and its connection to the bunker.

Rumours were substantiated when the Italian government

funded a multi-million dollar expedition

funded a multi-million dollar expedition

to search for the treasure in the mid-'60s.

- The legend about Italian gold is real. This is not a legend.

- The legend about Italian gold is real. This is not a legend.

Nazi troops stolen from our national bank in '43

about 69 or 72 tons of ingots.

about 69 or 72 tons of ingots.

Gold ingots were brought here

and hidden inside one of these tunnels.

and hidden inside one of these tunnels.

NARRATOR: The gold has not been found to this day.

- Mystery continues. (chuckles)

- Mystery continues. (chuckles)

NARRATOR: Within this complex, the Germans hid the latest,

most secure and most sophisticated technology available at the time -

most secure and most sophisticated technology available at the time -

the machinery and equipment they had used

to co-ordinate their forces and gain so much territory.

- In this tunnel we have a bunker in a bunker

- In this tunnel we have a bunker in a bunker

and they installed here a transmission room.

And inside, protected with the hard concrete wall,

another transmission room.

Here was the room, for sure, of the famous Enigma machine.

Here was the room, for sure, of the famous Enigma machine.

And we have two Enigma machines, one with three rotors,

And we have two Enigma machines, one with three rotors,

that were intercepted and decrypted from Bletchley Park.

And the other one that transmit from these rooms

And the other one that transmit from these rooms

that were with four rotors.

So, a secret place inside a secret place. Double protection.

So, a secret place inside a secret place. Double protection.

NARRATOR: It wasn't the only bunker in Monte Soratte.

Further embedded in the mountain lies an even deeper secret.

Further embedded in the mountain lies an even deeper secret.

- You just have to look at one testament

to how amazingly effective Monte Soratte was.

When NATO took it over, after the war,

When NATO took it over, after the war,

and during the Cold War, they think, "This place is brilliant!"

They then develop another bunker system, beyond and deeper still.

They then develop another bunker system, beyond and deeper still.

So you've got the World War II Mussolini bunker system

and then you got one bunker leading into yet another bunker.

and then you got one bunker leading into yet another bunker.

So, you've got more security, even more protection.

- It was a very secure structure and it was well designed.

NATO used the same tunnels

and the same structure that was already there,

and the same structure that was already there,

but built a new bunker with new designs.

- During the Cold War era Monte Soratte

- During the Cold War era Monte Soratte

would offer a shelter for Italian government.

It was thought only for 100 people -

50 technician and 50 politician -

in case of a nuclear crisis and nuclear attack in Rome or in Italy.

in case of a nuclear crisis and nuclear attack in Rome or in Italy.

NARRATOR: The irony is that Mussolini himself

never got to use his elaborate bunker.

never got to use his elaborate bunker.

As the Allies advanced into Europe through 1944,

Mussolini was no longer safe in the Salo Republic.

Mussolini was no longer safe in the Salo Republic.

In reality, he had become Hitler's puppet,

useful only as a symbol of the Nazi hold over the country,

which was weakening by the day.

which was weakening by the day.

CHIARINI:

NARRATOR: "I was an interesting person.

NARRATOR: "I was an interesting person.

Now, I am little more than a corpse. I am finished. My star has fallen.

I have no fight left in me. I await the end of the tragedy,

I have no fight left in me. I await the end of the tragedy,

strangely detached from everything.

I do not feel any more like an actor.

I feel I am the last of spectators."

I feel I am the last of spectators."

NARRATOR: Would Mussolini have survived the war

if he had managed to escape to his most secret and formidable bunker

of World War II?

Could his impregnable super bunker at Monte Soratte

Could his impregnable super bunker at Monte Soratte

have withstood the most powerful bombs of its time?

The secrets of security and the armed methods of target elimination

The secrets of security and the armed methods of target elimination

will present former British Army

Intelligence Corps officer Adrian Weale.

- The Monte Soratte bunker, the megastructure, if you like,

- The Monte Soratte bunker, the megastructure, if you like,

is a much more difficult proposition

than most fortifications

than most fortifications

because it's built into the natural rock.

It's 200 or 300 metres

under a thick layer of natural igneous rock.

under a thick layer of natural igneous rock.

So, the Grand Slam was the biggest bomb of the Second World War.

Ultimate earthquake bomb.

Ultimate earthquake bomb.

It's ten tons. Designed to be dropped

from somewhere around 12,000 metres.

It reaches at a huge speed, hits the ground,

It reaches at a huge speed, hits the ground,

tunnels into the ground to a depth of 20 metres, maybe more,

detonates, and it's got six and a half tons of explosives in it,

detonates, and it's got six and a half tons of explosives in it,

and that's going to make a huge seismic wave

that will destroy concrete structures.

It'll create, in effect, an earthquake.

(explosion)

(explosion)

NARRATOR: Even the largest and heaviest bomb

of the Second World War would not be able to destroy

of the Second World War would not be able to destroy

the exterior of this super bunker.

- To actually penetrate down to that,

you're going to need something bigger than a Grand Slam.

you're going to need something bigger than a Grand Slam.

So, the Fat Man bomb was the second type of atomic weapon

So, the Fat Man bomb was the second type of atomic weapon

to be deployed in 1945

and it was the type that was tested at the Trinity test.

and it was the type that was tested at the Trinity test.

And it's actually a plutonium-based bomb.

And the reason for its shape, so it's kind of fat,

And the reason for its shape, so it's kind of fat,

like its uh...like its name,

is because it achieves fission by imploding,

is because it achieves fission by imploding,

crushing a ball of plutonium

until it reaches the correct density

to spark a fission reaction and then detonates.

to spark a fission reaction and then detonates.

And it's a much more efficient way of detonating fissile material

than the gun-type bomb, the Uranium-235 bomb - the Little Boy.

than the gun-type bomb, the Uranium-235 bomb - the Little Boy.

And it therefore has a higher nuclear yield - 15 kilotons.

And, therefore, that's going to have an even bigger impact

than the Little Boy bomb, the Hiroshima bomb,

which comes out at around 9 to 10 kilotons.

which comes out at around 9 to 10 kilotons.

Could you have used a Fat Man bomb against Monte Soratte?

Well, yes, you could, because of the nature of the structure there

Well, yes, you could, because of the nature of the structure there

and the Fat Man was the most substantial weapon

that was available in 1945.

that was available in 1945.

NARRATOR: Can a Fat Man nuclear bomb,

dropped from a B-29 Superfortress,

raze Mussolini's hideout to the ground?

raze Mussolini's hideout to the ground?

- If you did...if you did use a Fat Man weapon

against Monte Soratte,

then it would not necessarily kill Mussolini.

then it would not necessarily kill Mussolini.

The outer part of the structure would be destroyed.

There is still an inner, better-protected part.

There is still an inner, better-protected part.

Having said that, it would not be a very comfortable place, I suspect,

after a Fat Man had been detonated close to it

after a Fat Man had been detonated close to it

and it might take Mussolini a while to extract himself from it.

There were multiple exits, so that the...

There were multiple exits, so that the...

so that people who were inside could potentially get out.

NARRATOR: In the end, it wasn't bombs, however powerful,

which spelled the end for Mussolini - it was his own people.

By April 1945, with the Allies advancing rapidly on all fronts,

By April 1945, with the Allies advancing rapidly on all fronts,

Mussolini was trapped.

He decided to try and escape from the Salo Republic

and head for neutral Switzerland.

It was to be the beginning of his end.

It was to be the beginning of his end.

- The end of Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci,

it's really brutal.

They're trying to escape to Switzerland but, on the way,

They're trying to escape to Switzerland but, on the way,

he's captured by Italian partisans

and they get their revenge on their old dictator

and they get their revenge on their old dictator

because what they do is they beat him and he's shot dead.

And their bodies are hanged from a petrol station in Milan

And their bodies are hanged from a petrol station in Milan

for the whole world to see.

NARRATOR: What if Mussolini tried to escape to Monte Soratte

instead of trying to reach Switzerland?

instead of trying to reach Switzerland?

Would his super bunker have offered him a final refuge

or even salvation?

- Mussolini, instead of heading north towards Austria,

- Mussolini, instead of heading north towards Austria,

has managed to head back down south to Monte Soratte

to this complex that he's had built to protect him.

to this complex that he's had built to protect him.

But he's pretty much on his own and there's nobody to protect him.

Once you're in a place like that it's a game of hide and seek

because there are no soldiers to look after you, no security service.

because there are no soldiers to look after you, no security service.

(gunfire)

(gunfire)

It would be not at all difficult for a group of partisans

to come in, find him.

In reality, this would be a pathetic end for a lonely man.

In reality, this would be a pathetic end for a lonely man.

NARRATOR: Ultimately, however well-defended an impregnable bunker,

it cannot withstand the collective will

of a people driven into a war they did not want to fight,

by a tyrant with whom they had long since fallen out of love.

by a tyrant with whom they had long since fallen out of love.

Just as all the other dictators before him and since,

Mussolini was ultimately driven to destruction

Mussolini was ultimately driven to destruction

by his own vanity and lust for power

and all that's left is the bunker he had built to protect him.

Subtitles by Sky Access Services